Drivers with accidents, speeding tickets or DUI convictions pay more than nearly anyone else for car insurance.
An at-fault collision, for example, can spike your premiums by up to 50%, according to The Zebra. But teens, older people and drivers with bad credit are also considered high-risk drivers, too, and are often hit with elevated rates.
We've compiled the best car insurance for drivers in a variety of high-risk categories. For more information on how we made our picks, see our methodology.
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Best car insurance for high-risk drivers
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Best for teen drivers: State Farm
State Farm Auto Insurance
Policy highlights
The largest auto insurer in the U.S., State Farm has an excellent reputation for customer satisfaction and affordable rates, even for teens.
Discounts
More than a dozen discounts, including for safe driving, bundling and good students. Drive Safe & Save program offers up to 30% off for lower mileage and safe driving habits.
Availability
State Farm liability car insurance is available nationwide except for Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Terms apply.
Read our State Farm auto insurance review.
Pros
- High customer satisfaction ratings
- Available in most states
- Affordable rates for teen drivers
Cons
- Doesn’t offer gap insurance
- Accident forgiveness requires 9 years accident-free
- Have to work with an agent to buy a policy..
Who's this for? State Farm has some of the most affordable rates for teens, with discounts for completing a driver education course or leaving the car at home when they go to college. Students who maintain a B or better average can get up to 25% off.
Standout benefits: State Farm offers travel expense reimbursement, paying up to $500 for food, lodging and related costs if your car breaks down more than 50 miles from home.
Best for multiple accidents: Erie
- Affordable premiums
- High customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
- Quotes available online
- Only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
- Can't buy a policy online
- Fewer discounts than competitors
Who's this for? Erie offers some of the industry's lowest premiums for customers with several high-risk qualifiers, including drivers with at-fault accidents on their record.
Standout benefits: Erie's rate lock feature allows you to keep your rates from rising, even if you need to file a claim.
Best for speeding tickets: Geico
- 16 discounts are available to lower premiums
- Easily purchase and manage policy online
- Policy add-ons can include roadside assistance and mechanical breakdown insurance
- No gap insurance
- Few branches for in-person services
- Ranks below average for customer service and claims on J.D. Power surveys
Who's this for? Geico has affordable rates, even for drivers with a speeding ticket or two. We also like its long list of discounts available to anyone, from those based on your car and its features, to affiliation discounts for alumni, military members and more.
Standout benefits: Geico offers a range of other insurance products, including homeowners and renters insurance, making it easy to bundle and save.
Best for DUI or DWI: Progressive
- Available in all 50 states
- Low rates for drivers with DUIs
- Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
- Offers vanishing deductible as well as accident forgiveness
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Above-average number of complaints
- Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rate increase
Who's this for? Progressive's rates for drivers with DUIs and DWIs are lower than those of many other insurers.
Standout benefits: The brand offers a variety of coverage, including rideshare insurance and three tiers of accident forgiveness.
Best for drivers with bad credit: Dairyland
- Insures drivers who might otherwise have a hard time getting coverage due to credit scores or accidents
- Can help drivers file an SR-22 certificate with their state, if necessary
- Also offers coverage for motorcycles and off-road vehicles for bundling
- California policies include limited coverage for driving in Mexico
- Not available in all 50 states
- Higher-than-average rates
- Limited number of discounts
Who's this for? Dairyland specializes in insuring drivers with low credit scores or limited credit history.
Standout benefits: If you require an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate — forms which may be required by your state to prove your coverage after a major infraction like a DUI — Dairyland can help with this process. Additionally, all Dairyland policies in California include limited coverage for travel in Mexico.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
Geico auto coverage is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with 16 discounts and add-ons like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Progressive offers an array of riders, including rideshare insurance and a Deductible Savings Bank that deducts $50 each policy period you go without a claim. It also offers mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers unexpected major system failures.
What is high-risk car insurance?
There's no industry standard, but many insurers will consider you a high-risk driver if you have:
- An at-fault accident
- A speeding ticket
- A DUI or DWI conviction
- An SR-22 or FR-44 certificate filed with your state
- A high number of points on your license
- A low credit score
- Multiple insurance claims filed in the last three years
Having a lapse in coverage, being a teen driver or living in a high-crime area can also put you in a high-risk category.
How high-risk drivers can lower their insurance rates
While you can't erase a ticket or accident from your record, you can take steps to mitigate higher premiums. Take these six steps to save.
Step 1: Enroll in a safe driving course
Completing an approved defensive driving course shows insurers you're taking steps to become a better driver and may result in a discount.
Step 2: Bundle policies
Getting an auto policy from the same company you use for home or renters insurance can save you more than 20%.
Step 3: Improve your credit
In most states, your credit-based insurance score can be used to determine how much you'll pay for insurance. Paying your bills in full, limiting how many credit card applications you submit and otherwise boosting your credit score can help lower your car insurance rates.
Step 4: Shop around
Compare quotes from several insurers to make sure you get the best deal. Some insurance companies, including Dairyland, specialize in high-risk drivers.
Step 5: Raise your deductible
You could save by increasing your policy's deductible, or the amount you'd pay if you had to file a claim. Typically, this is a flat dollar amount, like $250. Raising it to $500 or even $1,000 will lower your premiums. However, you'll want to make sure it's reasonable, as you'd need to cover it if you were involved in an accident.
Step 6: Pay in full upfront
Many insurers charge installment fees or add them to your cost if you choose to split your payment over time. Paying your full premium up front can help reduce your costs.
What to do if you're denied coverage
If an auto insurance provider rejects you, it's worth applying to several others: Insurance companies treat drivers differently when deciding on approvals and premiums.
An insurance agent can also help you find coverage that fits your needs and driving record.
If you're still having trouble getting covered, consider a state-assigned risk pool. These programs can help make sure you'll get coverage, though the price might be higher.
FAQs
How much does car insurance go up after an accident?
Insurance premiums can go up as much as 50% after an at-fault accident, although it depends on your age, driving history, location and other factors.
How long are you considered a high-risk driver?
Insurance companies generally only look at your record for the past three to five years, though your state may keep a record of your driving for considerably longer. In New York, for example, an accident involving intoxicated driving can stay on your record permanently.
What is the cheapest car insurance company for high-risk drivers?
If you are considered a high-risk driver, the cheapest auto insurance policy for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your driving record, age and coverage needs. Overall, State Farm Personal Auto Insurance SPL LP">State Farm, Erie, Geico, Progressive and USAA have some of the lowest rates and best coverage options for those with an accident, DUI or other incidents on their record.
Will my insurance go up even if an accident isn't my fault?
Only a few states, including Oklahoma and California, prohibit insurance companies from raising rates for customers who were not held liable. In general, insurers assess risk, not blame, so any collision reported to the police or your insurance company can result in a premium increase.
How much is high-risk car insurance?
Car insurance for high-risk drivers is more expensive but the severity of the price difference depends on the situation. While a speeding ticket could hike your rates 22%, an at-fault accident will raise premiums by about 50% and a DUI could lead to a 65% increase.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed financial decisions. Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Our methodology
CNBC Select reviewed more than 30 insurers offering coverage to high-risk drivers, focusing on average premiums across various high-risk categories.
Sample premiums are based on data from Bankrate on a 40-year-old with an otherwise clean driving record and a 2020 Toyota Camry, who commutes five days a week and drives 12,000 miles a year, with the following coverage:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
We also considered each company based on coverage options, add-ons, discounts, nationwide availability and online experience.
We reviewed customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power, the Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on that criteria, our picks for the best car insurance for high-risk drivers are:
- For teen drivers: State Farm
- For multiple accidents: Erie
- For speeding tickets: Geico
- For DUI/DWI: Progressive
- For bad credit: Dairyland
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